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III. Building the School

PHOTOS: View of the School, Teachers, Cardinal McIntyre Blessing the new School, CTK Students at Recess, CTK School Kids at an Outing,

Laying the Foundation The Years of Growth The CCD The Great Depression The War Years and After Decorating the Lord's House Christ the King Statue Building the School Those Who Helped Renovations Time of Sadness Renewal in Changing Times Needed Extra Help Time of Joy Spiritual Statistics SINCE 1976 Photo Gallery 1 Photo Gallery 2

For twenty years the building of a school had concerned Father Corcoran, and although he had not been able to achieve it, he had made some remote preparations. He had obtained permission and encouragement from Archbishop Cantwell, and again from his successor, Archbishop James Francis McIntyre. Slowly he had been able to acquire the lots immediately adjacent to the church building, starting with the triangular lot north of the building which he purchased from the editor of the Los Angeles Herald Express, Mr. Frank Barham in 1942; then the duplex on the west side, which he turned into the new rectory; and finally three houses on the southeast side facing Arden Boulevard. By 1954, during Cardinal McIntyre's great drive for Catholic education, Father corcoran proudly announced to his congregation that they could begin a fund drive to start construction of the school building. At about the same time, the parish took additional pride in the news that Father Corcoran had been made a Monsignor. On December 29th, 1954 the Holy Father Pope Pius XII honored Christ the King parish and recognized the long and arduous work of its founding pastor by bgranting him the title of Domestic Prelate (Right Reverend Monsignor).

First Teachers

Christ the King School

The ceremony of his installation took place the next month with the new Monsignor renewing his profession of faith before Bishop Timothy Manning, representing Cardinal McIntyre, in the presence of many of the former assistant pastors and the joyful parishioners. Not until 1958 did the building actually begin on the school and as work progressed there was a general feeling of enthusiasm and anticipation for the work. Classes actuallky began in 1958 under the direction of Mother Adrian and four sisters of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary and one lay teacher. Initially, there were only five grades with an enrollment of 116 students. Classes were held in the church owned apartment building which was located on what is now the lower lot of the school.. However, there were only half-day sessions because not all of the pupils could be accommodated at one time in such a small "school building." In his financial report for January of 1959, Monsignor Cochoran announced that registration was open for children who wished to enter the new school in September. Actually, one-half of the new school building was ready for use and moved into by the spring of 1959. By September of 1959, the new school was opened with five grades; and the school grew to a full eight grades in the subsequent years. Much time, effort and sacrifice had paid off in a school that the parishioners were and are proud of, as seen by the continued and varied use of the school buildings of Christ the King.

Cardinal James F. McIntyre Blessing the School - 1959

CTK School Students at Recess   CTK Kids on an Outing

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